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Longtime Boston Breakers defender Cat Whitehill has announced her retirement, effective immediately. She played 61 games for Boston across two leagues, coming to the team from the Atlanta Beat as part of a WPS trade. She began with Boston in WPSL Elite following WPS' collapse, and continued through NWSL, eventually becoming captain and player-coach in 2013. Whitehill's leadership helped guide the Breakers through the rest of a bumpy season after the mid-season firing of former head coach Lisa Cole.
"It is with a sad and humble heart that I have decided to announce my retirement as a professional soccer player. I have been thinking long and hard about this and have come to the conclusion that now is the time for me to step aside from playing the game that I love," Whitehill said. "With my recent injury, and the fact that I will be missing games while commentating this summer during the World Cup, the best thing for me, my family and the Boston Breakers is to step aside."
Whitehill will be calling World Cup group stage games as part of FOX Sports' broadcast crew alongside JP Dellacamera and Toni DiCicco. She was a veteran of the US Women's National Team, racking up 134 caps and 11 goals over her career. She saw two World Cups in 2003 and 2007 and earned an Olympic gold medal in 2004.
"I am going to miss this game so much. Playing professional soccer has been a dream come true for me, and I am so grateful that I was able to play for as long as I did. It didn't matter the league, WPS, WPSL Elite or the NWSL, it just mattered that I had the opportunity to play the game that I love for a living," Whitehill said. "Attempting to fully express my gratitude for the organizations, fans, and coaches that helped me develop me as a player and a person is an impossible task since so many people have had such a profound impact on my life.
Whitehill was a staple of Boston's defense for years, working in the center and helping guide new players in the responsibilities of holding a back line.
"I must say thank you to the Boston Breakers for allowing me to play my last four years as a pro. I am proud of the fact that I can say I was a part of this organization," Whitehill added. "I want to thank U.S. Soccer for allowing me to wear the red, white, and blue jersey for 10 years, win an Olympic gold medal and play in two World Cups. My time with the national team was the fulfillment of a dream that first started when I saw the USA win the gold medal in 1996 as a young soccer player from Alabama. Those 10 years were amazing, and I am proud to say that I was able to represent my country around the world."